In the 14-year period of 2005 through 2018, canines killed 471 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (311) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

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Twentynine Palms Girl, 9, Airlifted After Pit Bull Attack

Repeat BiterUPDATE 05/13/09: The mother of a a 9-year old girl attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull last week reported the girl is much improved. After being flown to Loma Linda University Medical Center, Kaitlyn Thackerson underwent surgery and was released from the hospital two days later. City Animal Control Officer Rick Boyd said that the pit bull had been involved in a previous bite case on April 12 and was released from the shelter after a 10-day quarantine.

Due to arcane dog laws, the pit bull was returned to its owner with the presumption that it would not bite again or that the once irresponsible owner would not be a twice irresponsible owner. Both presumptions were wrong. Just two weeks after the dog's release, it attacked again, inflicting severe facial injuries to Kaitlyn Thackerson. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's office will decide whether to file charges against the dog's owners.

05/10/09: Child Attacked Near Military BaseTwentynine Palms, CA - In a developing story, a 9-year old girl is recovering after she was bitten in the face by a pit bull on Thursday. The girl was flown by helicopter to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment for lacerations to the face. She was attacked by the dog in the Turtle Rock housing development. The pit bull is currently being held in quarantine at Palms-n-Paws Animal Shelter while officials conduct an investigation into the incident.

There was an incident several years ago in 29 Palms where a 2 year old girl was killed by two breeding Rotties. Don’t think it was connected to the military. Her and her father were visiting his sister and her boyfriend. He left the girl at the TV to go to the bathroom, she walked out between the two Rotties and they killed her. No charges were filed because it was deemed BY LAW that her entering the back yard was “soliciting” an attack. We need to change these laws.

MARCH 2006: TWENTYNINE PALMS – Four pit-bull mixes escape from a fenced yard and attack a 15-year-old boy walking by. He had huge chunks of skin ripped away and required two surgeries to reattach the skin.—–http://leerburg.com/pitbull.htm

APRIL 21, 2006 – The owner of four dogs (Elizabeth Smith, a 37-year-old Twentynine Palms resident) that mauled and critically wounded a 15-year-old Twentynine Palms boy last month was arrested Friday in an unincorporated area of Fontana, officials said.—–http://tinyurl.com/o4agz8

The article says they are considering filing criminal charges against the owner. They need to. Pit nutters love to say punish the deed, not the breed. Let’s start with some prison time for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They KNEW their dog was dangerous and failed to put it down, instead letting it roam again.